Opinion: Apathetic students, staff should take action against cuts

By: Matt Smith

Monday, April 4, 2011 - 8:16 PM

Matt Smith

The past few months have been both inspiring and incredibly frightening as Nevada faces Gov. Brian Sandoval’s proposed budget cuts to education.

I’m proud to stand with the many students, faculty, staff, alumni and friends who show tremendous passion, courage and grace in the fight against further cuts.
Whether by chanting at the largest rally in the history of the State Capitol, or by writing individual letters to legislators, we continue to show that education is valued and vital to Nevada’s future.

To all of you: simply saying “thank you” does not come close to being adequate.

For those who are not yet involved in the opposition of the cuts either by attending an event or contacting your legislators, my question is simple: Why not?

If you aren’t involved because you say you don’t have the time, ask yourself how much time you spend on Facebook, watching TV or doing anything else that will not have much lasting value or meaning. It only takes a few minutes to call or write your Nevada legislators.

If you aren’t involved because you say you can’t miss class, will you miss your classes when they, your major or your college no longer exists? This could happen as soon as the fall 2011 semester.

If you aren’t involved because you “have to work,” consider that if the cuts go through, tuition and fees will be raised significantly, making your paycheck worth less. This will force you to pay more for fewer courses, majors and services.

Juan Lopez /Nevada Sagebrush: More than 1,300 Nevada university and high school students rallied against proposed budget cuts at the Nevada Legislature on March 21. Graduatuate Student Association president Matt Smith was one of several speakers to decry the proposal.

If you aren’t involved because you think your major isn’t on the chopping block, or because you’re graduating, remember that your degree’s value depends in part on the reputation of the University of Nevada, Reno.

When UNR takes cuts, the perception of your worth to potential employers may also take a hit. If your program is cut or closed, even if you’ve already graduated, your degree’s value may be threatened even further.

If you aren’t involved because you don’t understand how serious these proposed cuts are, consider that we have already absorbed $44 million in cuts at UNR alone and are preparing for another proposed $59 million cut. The state budget for the College of Liberal Arts, our largest undergraduate college, is only $26 million — you do the math.

Many UNR faculty members have gone above and beyond the call of duty to advocate for higher education in Nevada. Yet incredibly, some have actively discouraged their students from getting involved, either out of fear or ego, or perhaps due to apathy, denial or despair.

To those faculty members: Shame on you. We are fighting for your future as much as we are for our own. We look to you for leadership and guidance and expect you to rise to such challenges.

Today is a new day — a new opportunity to fight for a worthy cause, and to learn what it means to truly be a part of a democracy, rather than just to live in one.

Encourage your friends, family and colleagues to do their part — we can make a difference.

Matt Smith is the president of the Graduate Student Association. He can be reached at matthews@unr.edu.